Online Program

290086
Demonstrating the impact of HIT in Latino communities


Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Miryam Gerdine, MPH, Division of Nursing and Public Health HRSA, HRSA Health Resources and Services Administration, Rockville, MD
Research shows mixed evidence in technology adoption among providers who care for underserved groups as compared to other providers. Some work suggests that Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) have relatively robust adoption of EHRs due to the Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs) program and other initiatives. The two case studies that will be discussed are “Using telepsychiatry for the treatment of depression in underserved Hispanics” and “Using health IT to improve quality, coordination, and access for rural and migrant populations.” Both of these case studies are part of the nine case studies for the congressionally mandated report, “Understanding the Impact of Health IT on Underserved Communities and those with Health Disparities.” Findings include: 1. Culturally and linguistically congruent liaisons can facilitate acceptance of health information technology (health IT). 2. Telepsychiatry can be embraced and accepted by patients who are limited-technology users. 3. Telepsychiatry improves access to mental health services and can improve quality of care. 4. Integrating IT into a broader system of clinic and provider function provides essential support for buy-in and sustainability. And 1. Multimedia strategies using new mobile tools or educational videos integrated with EHRs can overcome patient literacy and language barriers. 2. Strong leadership and committed staff are important to sustaining a health IT program. 3. Innovative customization of systems to meet the unique needs of providers who care for the underserved encourages buy-in. 4. Quality reporting directed at providers can lead to improved patient outcomes. 5. Data integration with internal and external sources improves efficiency.

Learning Areas:

Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Public health or related education
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
List two case studies that highlight innovative grassroots, community-based programs using health IT to address the needs of Latino populations with documented disparities in access, quality of care, and outcomes. Articulate the procedure based on this Case Stidy for using telepsychiatry for the treatment of depression in underserved Hispanics. Explain how Columbia Basin Health Association (CBHA) a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)implemented an innovative IT pilot project with the goal of improving quality of care and access for the rural and migrant populations.

Keyword(s): Telehealth, Access to Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the lead staff on HIT and Health Disparities working in the Office of the Secretary, Office of Minority Health and in 2010 recruited to the Health Resources and Service Administration's Office of Health Information Technology and Quality to be the HRSA Government Task Lead for the HIT and Health Disparities report. Accomplishments include having designed, coordinated and implemented more than 20 HIT projects focused on underserved populations, racial/ethnic and Spanish Language users.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.